Blog
14 September 2009 in Blog
Julia: full-time worker or part time spinner?
Over the last couple of weeks the Deputy Prime Minister has been plugging two developing holes in a massive dam wall.
The first has been caused by the waste and mismanagement associated with the Julia Gillard memorial halls debacle. A programme wasting so much money that a school in Sydney is going to refuse free money.
The second hole in the dam wall is growing quickly and relates to her changes to the industrial award system and her promise ... »
27 August 2009 in Blog
Spot the difference between China and Stephen Conroy
In the past few months we have seen the highs and lows of our relationship with China on display.
Firstly we saw Australia avoid recession largely because of the strong demand by China for Australia’s resources.
Then we saw a series of diplomatic incidents including the arrest of Australian businessman Stern Hu on grounds which are yet to become clear. In addition it appears the Chinese Government has taken proactive action to s... »
13 August 2009 in Blog
Your local country show is under threat
One of the great benefits of representing a regional electorate is the opportunity to attend many local shows.
Whether it is Mount Barker, Mount Pleasant, Strathalbyn or Kangaroo Island – shows represent what is great about regional Australia – although you can take or leave the Dagwood Dogs.
But there is a danger lurking for these regional celebrations in the form of yet another bungled Rudd Government “reform”, a danger that threatens the ... »
30 July 2009 in Blog
Defending the right of Mums to have a safe home birth
The two greatest experiences of my life occurred in a birthing suite.
The birth of a new baby is an exhilarating experience that produces emotions from deep within your soul.
Yet somehow I think the emotions that child birth produces in woman are even more significant. Obviously pregnancy causes massive physical change but less obvious is the enormous emotional change having a baby ushers in.
My wife and I wer... »
16 July 2009 in Blog
Last year I had the honour of being elected to the Australian Parliament by the people of Mayo in South Australia. I was elected at a by-election following the retirement of Alexander Downer who had represented Mayo since its inception in 1984.
The by-election was hard fought with ten other candidates representing all political parties and a range of independent (with the exception being the Labor Party who chose not to run a candidate presumably because it is so ashamed of how it has trea... »
02 July 2009 in Blog
It took me a while to realise it because usually, people who enter politics have some smarts and go in wanting to do what they believe is the right thing.
They pursue policies they believe will make our country an even better place.
That is why I have been at a loss to understand how a group of people who promised us in the lead up to the last election that they were "economic conservatives" who "believed in surpluses" could turn a low unemplo... »
18 June 2009 in Blog
Time to change thinking on the Murray River
Later this year the South Australian Government is likely to announce the introduction of a weir at Wellington. This is effectively a dam across Australia’s greatest river before it flows into the Lower Lakes in South Australia. It would allow the Government to pump sea water into the Lower Lakes, a system that has been a fresh water environment for thousands of years – this is a decision that will be irreversible.
The cause of this crisis ... »
04 June 2009 in Blog
Too giggly on alcopops to tackle hard drugs
Australia has the highest rate of ecstasy use in the world. Frightening isn’t it? So what’s being done about it? Like many other policy issues, the PM declared war on drugs but it is more a phoney war than a real one.
Hey guys, wanna buy some alcopops?
Since being elected the Government has failed to take any significant action on this major health and criminal problem. Instead General Rudd and his loyal lieutenants have sent the troops into the gol... »
20 March 2009 in Blog
The Unemployment Battle
The Rudd recession is starting to have a major impact on the prospects of the younger generation to find jobs. Recently a series of sectors including retail, hospitality and newsagents have broken their silence to outline just how damaging the award modernisation process has been for their industries and their ability to create and support jobs.
This government seems intent on making life difficult for young people, from compulsory university fees of $250 p... »
23 February 2009 in Blog
Recently I spent the afternoon with the local CFS Commander and a Group Captain touring areas of the Adelaide Hills as they assessed the bush fire risk to houses.
I must say it was a real eye opener. Some residents seem oblivious to the warning signs, even in the wake of the Victorian tragedy. Gutters filled with leaves, yards covered in grass and branches. For the CFS it was a frustrating drive.
The Scout motto of “be prepared” has never been more appropriate. ... »